Art news

This Wednesday, Surry Hills' Firstdraft Gallery presents "THISISCURATING1-40"; one of a series of independently curated exhibitions that aim to foster emerging and experimental curatorial practices and promote up-and-coming local and international artists. Chosen by acclaimed local curator, Joel Mu, the 14 artists involved (including Greedy Hen, Scandanavia's Hanne Rivrud & Monja Wiik and olfactic artist, Nadia Wagner) have each contributed three works which collectively range from video and photography to performance, sculpture and installation and collectively make for a varied and "unrestrained" showcase. THISISCURATING1-40 runs until May 10.

Mention the name Ksubi and in an almost instantaneous reaction the unmistakable vision of denim and flannel springs to mind. Whilst fashion is the label's forte, the designers also share a flare for interior design with a 2008 Design Award from the Design Institute of Australia. In a collaborative project with Herbert Mason Architects, Ksubi have created a unique interior space The Bombed Maché,  for their new store in Armadale, Melbourne. Clientele find themselves in a cardboard house tucked within a crisp white shell, where an array of art works line the walls and an exterior garden showcases the label's trivial 'Peaced Off' sculpture. The concept combines elements of  both a gallery space and an installation while remaining retailesque and environmentally friendly with most of the store constructed from 'throw away materials'. One might say it's a winner all round. 

On Thursday April 24, Sydney's Black and Blue gallery presents 'Sau Paulo. NewYork. Japan"; an exhibition of Photographs by Natasha Phillips, Vlad da Cunha and Josh Raymond. Although the three artists are based in Australia, they have each taken photos in one of the three titled cities - centering the exhibition around the complexities and ambiguities of encounters between visitors and the inhabitants of these often magical places. Sau Paulo. New York. Japan runs until May 11.

The CURVY crew hit Brisbane last Thursday night to celebrate the launch of the fifth edition. In keeping with the low-maintenance, no-attitude fashionista style that the Brissie peeps embody, the launch of YEN's all-girl annual art book, CURVY, was hosted at Blonde Venus (a treasure trove full of all the latest and edgiest designer labels). The gallery space was chokers all night, resulting in a constant stream of earnest art folk who queued to view what CURVY 5 had to offer this year. But in true YEN style we kept everyone's toes tapping to tunes from DJ Matt and drinks courtesy of V and Singha Beer.

Finally we have the adult equivalent of the colouring in competition. The first annual International Skull Drawing Competition has just been announced by the world’s smallest elevator gallery Rise and Fall with $1000 USD up for grabs for the best black and white skull on A4. Entries close on April 18 with the skull judging, exhibition and skull crowning to take place at Curtin House in Melbourne on April 30. Get the full submission guidelines here and get cracking!

2008 marks the centenary of Women’s Suffrage in Victoria. To celebrate, the Counihan Gallery in Brunswick is hosting an exhibition around the themes of female empowerment and emancipation. Women’s Salon 2008: Persuasive Dissent seeks to explore, through art, current issues of significance to women that impact on their sense of equality and liberty. It’s a diverse exhibition in a great space, with mixed media works in a range of mediums, from painting and woodblock prints to collage and crochet. Pictured here is Agota Molnar’s red-hot don’t f*ck with me high-heel. The emancipated kitchen wench in me especially likes Mish Cahill’s Aboriginal-inspired textile apron-skirt, while my inner magpie loves Ellinor Mazza’s stunning amethyst bejeweled necklace. All works are for sale. The exhibition runs until 20 April, 2008.
Counihan Gallery in Brunswick
233 Sydney Road, BRUNSWICK VIC 3056
Gallery Hours:
Wednesday to Saturday 11 am – 5 pm
Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm

In the vein if inspirational local female artists the "cause we can" exhibition at the Somedays gallery, whilst not excluding male artists, brought to the gallery-goers attention some fine female art. Kareena Zerefos - who has also been published in YEN's annual Curvy book - showed her whimsical and nostalgic illustrations, which explore the ephemeral in themes of isolation and escapism. Love Ariel sends a stronger message with her overtly sexualised and bloodied female portraits. However confronting, the female viewer cannot help but feel empowered! And finally Laura Mckellar's work demands attention. At first sight, very cute, the old-world colours and gold gilt embroidery draw you in but take two and the jagged collage of dolls bodies and animal parts, ala Gondry's Science of Sleep, become apparent and send you into another world. If you want more, the Somedays Gallery opens an exhibition fortnightly.
Words by: Bianca Teresa